Test Driver Ratings & Comments

Acceleration comments

As always, there's nothing subtle about launching the WRX. I prefer to bring the revs to around 5,000 and drop the clutch as engine speed rises toward 6,000. This technique overcomes the car's static intertia most easily. First gear is gone instantly, with only a wisp of wheelspin from the front tires. Second gear needs to be held to redline to hit 60 mph. Otherwise, 0-60 time suffers. I short-shifted 3rd gear around 6,100 rpm, as power falls off noticeably after that. Despite some horrid sounds from its drivetrain, the WRX survives this abuse time and again. And it's darned quick.

Braking comments

Pedal response is nothing special in the WRX, though its stability at full ABS is quite good. No distance or pedal fade during our testing.

Handling comments

Slalom: Wow. This is a very different car from the last WRX, which sacrificed precision for mass-market appeal. This WRX, however, offers immediate turn-in and flat cornering. Its torque vectoring is good at pulling it through corners, even during steady-state throttle. Responses are very, very rapid and keeping the car going where it needs to demands fast hands and rapid reflexes. Skid pad: "Traction" mode proved highly effective in alleviating understeer and keeping the WRX tracking where it's pointed. Steering feel is only OK, and once understeer is achieved it's slow to undo. Still, this is a solid-handling performance for the WRX.